During an April 2006 inspection at Safety-Kleen’s plant, located at 6625 W. Frye Road in Chandler, ADEQ inspectors discovered that company officials had failed to submit to ADEQ 176 signed generator and transporter hazardous waste manifests. Safety-Kleen previously had been cited by ADEQ for similar violations discovered during a 2005 inspection at the facility.

During the 2006 inspection, ADEQ inspectors also found that two 3-inch flange plugs had not been properly tagged with air emission inspection tags and that inspection logs inaccurately stated that the flanges were in compliance with the company’s hazardous waste general permit. Safety-Kleen’s emergency contingency plan at the facility also contained inaccurate information, such as incorrect telephone numbers.

“These were serious violations of the hazardous waste laws,” Director Owens said. “The fact that Safety-Kleen had been cited for similar violations before makes the situation even worse.”

"Hazardous waste violations create risks of considerable harm to both the environment and to human health," Goddard said. "This penalty is clearly warranted."

In addition to paying the $80,000 penalty, Safety-Kleen will conduct half-day training seminars for small-quantity generators of hazardous waste such as auto repair shops and paint and body shops. That supplemental environmental project will cost the company more than $15,000.